City of Central Point

Central Point is a small town with roughly 2.5 square miles of area situated at the downstream end of the Bear Creek watershed. Seven streams flow northward through town including Bear, Griffin, Jackson, Horn, Daisy, Mingus and Elk Creeks. The flat landscape and abundant water resources provide opportunity for increased access to natural areas for recreation, wildlife viewing and relaxation within existing city parks. Many of the shoreline areas throughout the city, however, are in residential zoning districts and in private ownership.

Since the area’s early history, many of the streams have been straightened to support agriculture uses and to facilitate more uniform urban development patterns. This has created challenges in Central Point due to increased flood risk, loss of riparian habitat and associated declines in water quality and biodiversity. The good news is that the City and local area developers are working to change the ways that we use, develop and maintain our water resources. Restoration projects in the Twin Creeks development, for example, have restored meanders, terraces and native vegetation to sections of Griffin and Jackson Creeks. Local area mitigation planning aims to continue this effort on Griffin Creek to reduce flood risk and enhance riparian and aquatic health. Stormwater management practices aim to reduce impacts of urban development by infiltrating and treating runoff with low impact development, implementing erosion and sediment control measures, improving municipal operations and exploring partnerships between public and private entities.

To learn more about the City’s Environmental Services including floodplain management and water quality programs visit www.centralpointoregon.gov or contact the Environmental Services Coordinator at 541.664.7602, Ext. 244.